Ar Bhealach na Gaeltachta is a new Irish language Broadcast Fund series that follows presenter Frainc Mac Cionnaith around the four way-marked routes in the Donegal Gaeltacht meeting those who live and work there. It begins on BBC Two NI on Monday 26 May at 10pm.

‘Bealach na Gaeltachta’ is the general name for the four circular long-distance trails in the Gaeltacht areas of Donegal: Slí an Earagail, Slí na Rosann, Slí na Finne and Slí Cholmcille. In this four-part series, young Gaeilgeoir Frainc Mac Cionnaith walks each of the trails, and on his journey he captures the scale, atmosphere and beauty of this ruggedly beautiful county.

The series encapsulates the spirit of Donegal through its people, culture, music and history in one of the most unspoilt scenic landscapes in Ireland. As well as the physical trials of each journey, Frainc takes the opportunity to express the essence of his travels through his own artistic interpretation.

The series producer Sheila Friel is a Donegal native herself. “For me, this has been one of the most enjoyable productions I have developed and produced in recent years. All the necessary elements were there at my own back door to make a fascinating series – the natural beauty of the county as a backdrop, the openness and warmth of the characters we feature and their generosity of spirit in sharing their stories and their knowledge - making the whole production process a joy and a privilege. One of the biggest challenges we faced was not what to include but what to leave out! I feel there will be lots new for our audience in this series; new voices with a richness of language providing insights to a county steeped in hidden history.”

Adds director Mal Marken; “Donegal is held close in the hearts of many Northern Irish people who have had a long association with the county over the years, regardless of the inclement weather at times! With this in mind, we wanted the programmes to work on two levels – they needed to feel somewhat familiar to our audience in reflecting their own experience of the county yet deepen their knowledge further by revealing the lesser known stories and the more isolated locations. In this series, we climb mountains and cross bogs, we visit islands and remote homesteads, seeking out the unusual anecdotes and the visual treats that all help form the rich tapestry of a county many consider a home from home.”

The series starts with the most northerly of the four trails, ‘Slí an Earagail’, where Frainc begins his journey in the picturesque village of Dunlewey and travels on to Gortahork and Falcarragh before reaching the climax of the programme at the top of Errigal.

‘Slí na Rosann’ is the second episode in the series which concentrates on the Rosses area of West Donegal visiting Loughanure and Burtonport.

Episode three follows the ‘Slí na Finne’ trail, looping from Fintown to Comeen, on through Cloughan and finishing near Fintown again. This is one of the lesser known parts of the Donegal Gaeltacht, tucked away below the Blue Stack Mountains and a haven for wildlife.

In the final episode Frainc walks Slí Cholmcille, along the southern coast of county Donegal, starting off in Ardara and continuing through to Glencolmcille.

Ar Bhealach na Gaeltachta is an Imagine Media production for BBC Northern Ireland, with support from Northern Ireland Screen’s Irish Language Broadcast Fund.

In the final episode of the Ar Bhealach na Gaeltachta series, Frainc walks Slí Cholmcille, along the southern coast of county Donegal.

Frainc starts off in Ardara and meets Eithne Ní Ghallchobhair who shows him how local children contributed to the National Folklore Collection, before continuing through to Glencolmcille where he speaks to Brian Lacey about the saint after whom the area is named.
The stunning landscape around Slieve League features as Frainc chats to Eoghan Ó Curraighín about the decline in fishing in the area and he also finds out how the sea provides a vital resource for a new business in the area.